New Bedford is in store for another warm, sunny, summer weekend.  The weather.com forecast for the weekend predicts sunny skies Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with temperature highs up to 89°F.  Perfect weather for the beach and spending time outdoors.

This weekend, definitely check out one or some of the many opportunities in the area to listen to local music, celebrate nightlife, enjoy the arts, or benefit a good cause.  As always, most events discussed here are from LocalOracle.  To have your events promoted for FREE, submit them HERE.  If you need directions, simply click on the event name for contact info and directions.  If you want to save some money check out the South Coast Discount Coupons!

FRIDAY, JULY 15

If you are a Harry Potter fan, today is the day you’ve been waiting for.  The final installment of the book-turned-movie series opens in movie theatres 7/15/11.  Head over to Flagship Cinemas (500 Kings Highway) for popcorn and a great summer movie; show times available here.  Or head into Providence to enjoy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 3-D at the Providence Place Mall (9 Providence Place) IMAX theatre; show times available here.

For live, local music Friday night, check out Ice Chest Bar and Grille (136 Huttleston Ave, Fairhaven) to hear three-piece, all-purpose band The Morons; have dinner and stick around after 9pm to listen to hits from back in the day, and today.  Also, Russ Peterson will be playing oldies and classic rock at Candleworks Restaurant (72 N. Water St.) at 9:30pm.  Or listen to reggae band Ting and I after enjoying sangria and a burrito at No Problemo (813 Purchase St.).

For other nightlife, enjoy the downtown bar scene at Catwalk Bar and Grille (34 Union St.), Hibernia Irish Pub (109 William St.), Rose Alley Ale House (94 Front St.), or Cork Wine and Tapas (90 Front St.).  Or for something different, check out recently opened Top Shelf Bar and Grill (1825 Acushnet Ave.).

For more events, check HERE

SATURDAY, JULY 16

This Saturday morning, start the weekend by making an impact in our area by volunteering to be a part of Operation Clean Sweep.  This event is a great opportunity to support a wonderful cause and participate in community service while directly benefiting New Bedford.  From New Bedford Guide: “Operation Clean Sweep will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Ward 5 from 8:30 am until Noon. Hosted by Southcoast Hospitals Group, cleanup headquarters will be located at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Hawthorn/ Page Street parking lot.”  Operation Clean Sweep is being held from 8:30am to noon at Ward 5 (corner of Page St. and Hawthorn St.).  To volunteer, sign up HERE. Lunch, tools, and gloves will be provided as well as there will be live broadcasting from FUN107.

Saturday is also the first day of the first weekend of an incredible local event, the South Coast Artist’s Open Studio Tour 2011.  This is the 8^th year of this very special event in our area that showcases the artistic talent and creativity of many of our local residents.  The South Coast Artist’s Open Studio Tour 2011 is a self-guided tour that travels across highways and through rural and farm landscapes; exhibiting art in Tiverton, RI, Little Compton, RI, Dartmouth, MA and Westport, MA.  Along this tour will be many different local artists opening up their studios for exclusive tours of their one-of-a-kind artworks.  The tour is free to the public, and all ages are welcome.

From South Coast Artists: “This is your chance to visit the studios of some of the best artists living, working and exhibiting in the four beautiful coastal towns of Tiverton, Little Compton, Westport and Dartmouth….Along the way you’ll discover the work of welcoming artists working in such diverse mediums as oils, acrylics, watercolors, photography, sculpture, basketry, fiber arts, ceramics, glass, wood, metal, jewelry, paper and mixed media. All you have to do is follow the map in the brochure and look for the blue and white Open Studio signs and windsocks marking each studio or gallery.”

The South Coast Artist’s Open Studio Tour 2011 is being held twice this year on July 16-17, and August 20-21.  For more information on the check out the online brochure, or click here for the open studio tour map.  Check here for the full list of South Coast Artists.

Check out the J.Kelley Band at Down the Hatch on West Island in Fairhaven from 8 PM – 12 AM.  If you missed Russ Peterson at Candleworks Restaurant (72 N. Water St.) on Friday, be sure to check him out Saturday night at 9:30pm.  For other nightlife, check out the Video Lounge at Hibernia Irish Pub (109 Williams St.) or Mechanical Bull Riding at Libad’s Bar (578 Brockton Ave.).

For more events, check HERE

SUNDAY, JULY 17

On Sunday, enjoy a lazy day at the beach.  Check out public beach West Beach (West Rodney French Blvd.) for fun in the sun and sand.  West Beach is located at the southern end of the city on the west side of the peninsula.  Enjoy a beautiful day at the beach overlooking Clarks Cove and Dartmouth coastline.  Be sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!

Or sleep in and enjoy a late brunch or lunch date at Cork Wine and Tapas (90 Front St.) or Dog Day Sundays with your BFF (best furry friend) at Hibernia Irish Pub (109 William St.).  Don’t forget about Sunday Night Jam Session at Pour Farm (780 Purchase St); starting at 7pm and hosted by local musician Matt Antunes.  Support independent, local musicians who are looking to get their music out to you!  Want to jam?  Give Matt a shout at straightlacedproductions@comcast.net.  End the weekend with Karaoke at the Catwalk Bar and Grille (34 Union St.) at 9:30pm.

Have a great weekend!

New Bedford’s first annual recreational fishing tournament, Fishing for a Cause, was a great success, bringing in $55,232. The net proceeds from the event will benefit the programs and services of the Schwartz Center for Children in Dartmouth. The multi-day tournament included a Seaside Dinner with live music, family fun activities, and an awards BBQ. All events were held on Pope’s Island.

Awards, which included custom-made trophies and high-end fishing gear, were given to anglers bringing in the highest weight total for each of the eligible species (bluefish, striper, and fluke) caught.

The winners were as follows:

Striper

• Striper 1^st place: John Whittemore (86 lbs total)
• Striper 2^nd place: Rick Hersom
• Striper 3^rd place: Ralph Hersom

Bluefish

• Bluefish 1^st place: Emily Rader (10 lbs total)
• Bluefish 2^nd place: John Whittemore
• Bluefish 3^rd place: Connor Rader

Fluke

• Fluke 1^st place: Joann Cameron (6 lbs total)
• Fluke 2^nd place: Joshua Philips

Fish caught during the tournament were donated to Sister Rose’s House in New Bedford. In total, 369 pounds of bluefish, striped bass and fluke, went to feed clients of the food pantry, run by Catholic Social Services. All donated fish was processed courtesy of Raymond Canastra and the Whaling City Seafood Display Auction.

“We are so pleased to have had all of these talented anglers participating, and are also thankful to all of our sponsors, and attendees of the events. We are ever so grateful for the support of the City of New Bedford and the Harbor Development Commission, who helped make this event such a success in its first year” said Mary Hodgson, CEO.

Planning is already underway for next year’s event.

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder

The Schwartz Center for Children is a nonprofit organization with offices at 1 Posa Place in Dartmouth, MA. It has been serving children with a variety of special medical and developmental needs from birth to age 21 in Southeastern Massachusetts since 1947. Services include a Day School, Early Intervention Program, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Regional Consultation Program, Pediatric Specialty Clinics, and a variety of other programs.

New Bedford’s Your Theatre, Inc will conduct six no-charge classes and workshops in acting on consecutive Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the auditorium complex of St. Martin’s Church at the southeast corner of County and Rivet Streets beginning Thursday July 14 and ending August 18, 2011.

Open to South-Coast residents aged 16 and older, sessions will be limited to a maximum of 16 attendees.  Participants will be chosen by the order in which their applications are received and regardless of gender, race, creed, or political, sexual and religious persuasion.  Interested persons should submit their names, e-mail addresses and telephone number to POWS1@verizon.net, or call the Your Theatre, Inc. office at 508 993-0772.

The program will be conducted by Edward J. Maguire, retired Artistic Director with more than 50 years of experience in all aspects of theatrical production.  He will be assisted by Cynthia J. Messier, a 40-year veteran actor and director. Mr. Maguire will coach participants in acting technique, while Ms Messier will concentrate on oral interpretation skills.

Wings Court in the heart of downtown New Bedford (surrounded by Union St, Purchase St, William St and Acushnet Ave) is a few weeks away from the start of a complete makeover.  The public has had the opportunity to voice their opinions on the design in public meetings.  Yesterday, there was a small press conference held by the New Bedford Planning Office in Wings Court.  Anne Louro represented the Planning Office by showcasing a final design of Wings Court that is expected to be complete this winter.  Wings Court 2.0 will add several new improvements that will provide a great place to relax with a book or for organizers to hold special events.

Here is a list of the major changes you can expect:

• Brick resurfacing: the entire walk-through will be transformed to brick.

• A 12 x 16 ft stage that will be available for event organizers to use for live music and other forms of entertainment.
• A third entrance that will connect Acushnet Avenue with Purchase Street.
• A second deck situated near the existing deck.
• Additional benches situated under Green Hawthorn and/or Crimson Cloud Hawthorn trees.
• Water source for event organizers to use.
• Monument/Statue area for local artist to rotate their work on an annual/semi-annual basis.

The entire cost of materials (brick, stage, etc) costs $125,000 and has already been funded by the state of  Massachusetts through the Gateway City Parks Initiative.   Gateway City Parks Program Manager Kurt Gaertner was on hand to answer questions. The labor for the makeover will be funded by the city of New Bedford.

The businesses that surround Wings Court are leased 15 feet of space for seating.  This is good news for Brick Pizzeria and On a Roll who already use Wings Court to provide outdoor seating for their customers.  This 15-foot area should also be an attractive incentive for developers to consider taking over the empty buildings and quickly establishing an outdoor presence.  If all goes as planned, the new Wings Court will bring in a steady flow of foot-traffic as people travel between Acushnet Ave and Purchase Street.  Currently, two empty buildings (Does anyone remember Crickets?) are located in the spots to reap the most reward of this new foot-traffic.

Wings Court 2.0 looks to be a worthy project that should improve the look of the court, boost foot-traffic and provide a valuable spot for residents to spend some leisurely time.  Musicians, theaters and other organizers will love the new stage, as well as the available water source.  New Bedford owes a big thanks to the state government for providing $125,000 in funding and to the city workers like Anne Louro in the Planning Office for seeing this project from beginning to end.

Don’t miss the New Bedford/Wings Court Farmers Market every Thursday from 2:00-6:00 PM!

Wings Court Before Improvement

window.addEvent('domready', function() { var scrollGalleryObj26 = new scrollGallery({start:0,area:200,thumbarea:"thumbarea_26",imagearea:"imagearea_26",speed:0.1,toElementClass:".caption_container" }); }); .scrollgallery .imageareaContent .caption_container{display:inline; position:static;} .scrollgallery .imageareaContent .caption_container div{display:none; position:relative;}

Concept of the new Wing's Court in New Bedford.

Bricks to be used in the new Wing's Court in New Bedford.

Anne Louro address the public on the new Wing's Court.

Anne Louro address the public on the new Wing's Court.

Trees that will be placed in Wing's Court.

Trees that will be placed in Wing's Court.

A current view of Wing's Court in New Bedford.

A current view of Wing's Court in New Bedford.

A current view of Wing's Court in New Bedford.

Pour Farm Tavern's outdoor seating in Wing's Court.

Wings Court After Improvement

window.addEvent('domready', function() { var scrollGalleryObj71 = new scrollGallery({start:0,area:200,thumbarea:"thumbarea_71",imagearea:"imagearea_71",speed:0.1,toElementClass:".caption_container" }); }); .scrollgallery .imageareaContent .caption_container{display:inline; position:static;} .scrollgallery .imageareaContent .caption_container div{display:none; position:relative;}

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford Chess Table

Wings court New Bedford

Wings court New Bedford Chess Table

In less than two weeks the Buttonwood Park Zoo (425 Hawthorn St.) will be hosting their annual summer fundraising gala, a Wild Night at the Zoo.  The gala will be held from 6-10 PM on Saturday, July 23rd.

This is the perfect opportunity to experience the zoo from a different perspective, as it becomes transformed into a ‘Wild Night at the Zoo’ with an open bar, dinner buffet, live and silent auctions, as well as music! The Annual Fundraising Gala also brings an exclusive chance to meet the Buttonwood Park Zoo’s Asian elephants Ruth and Emily. Ruthy’s 25th Anniversary at the Zoo makes this year’s gala all that more special and celebratory!

From Buttonwood Park Zoo: “SAVE THE DATE for the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society’s annual fundraising gala on July 23! Wild Night at the Zoo features the best food, music, drink and silent auction of the season. Proceeds of the gala support educational and conservation programs at the Zoo. Don’t miss a photo with our Asian elephants, Emily & Ruth!”

Tickets are $100/person, and are available now on pre-sale; tickets will cost $125/person at the door. Tickets are available for purchase HERE. Proceeds of the gala directly benefit the educational and conservation mission of the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society – which is directly responsible for the care of the animals at the zoo.

From Buttonwood Park Zoo: “The mission of the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society (BPZS) is to support the Buttonwood Park Zoo so that the Zoo will be a significant contributor to the conservation of nature both at home and throughout the world. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.”

For more information visit Buttonwood Park Zoo.

Operation Clean Sweep will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Ward 5 from 8:30 am until Noon. Hosted by Southcoast Hospitals Group, cleanup headquarters will be located at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Hawthorn/ Page Street parking lot.

Southcoast Hospitals will provide coffee, donuts, and restroom facilities for volunteers. Domino’s Pizza, “The Official Pizza” of Operation Clean Sweep will provide volunteers with a pizza lunch. FUN 107 will broadcast live from the cleanup headquarters, Gifts to Give will accept gently used donations, and the Southcoast Health Van will conduct a blood drive.

Operation Clean Sweep is seeking new volunteers to join the July 16th neighborhood cleanup. Volunteering is a great way to show you care about your neighborhood and to earn community service hours. Students, individuals, families and community service groups are encouraged to participate.

Pre-register by visiting www.operationcleansweep.net or call (508) 979-1493. Pre-registration is not required but it is preferred. Volunteers are asked to wear closed toe shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Tools and gloves will be provided. Walk-ups are always welcome. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt, a voucher for chowder, and will be entered to win a brand new covered trash barrel.

Facebook event here. Mark your attendance and invite your friends!

For 2012 Firework information see this article: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/new-bedford-4th-july-fireworks-2012/2012/06/27

Marion: Displayed at Silver Shell Beach on July 2^nd at 9:00 p.m.

Rain date: July 5^th at 9:00 p.m.

Seekonk: Displayed at Seekonk Speedway July 3^rd at 9:00 p.m.

Rain date: July 4^th at 9:00 p.m.

Freetown: Displayed off South Main Street on July 3^rd at 8:00 p.m.

Rain date: July 9^th at 8:00 p.m.

New Bedford: Fireworks will be displayed at New Bedford Harbor Monday July 4^th at 9:15 p.m. Rain date: July 11^th at 9:15 p.m.

Fall River: Fireworks will be displayed at the Fall River waterfront Monday July 4^th at 9:30 p.m. Rain date: July 5^th at 9:30 p.m.

Mattapoisett: Displayed at Bay Club at Mattapoisett on July 4^th at 9:00 p.m.

Rain date: July 6^th at 9:00 p.m.

Share

2012 Firework details here: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/new-bedford-4th-july-fireworks-2012/2012/06/27

Through the generous support and co-sponsorship of Hawthorn Medical Associates, LLC and DeMoulas Market Basket, fireworks will be launched at 9:15pm on Monday, July 4^th from a barge located in New Bedford Harbor.

“I sincerely appreciate Hawthorn Medical and Market Basket co-sponsoring New Bedford’s 4^th of July celebration,” said Mayor Scott W. Lang. In addition, Conrad Roy from Tucker-Roy Marine Towing & Salvage will supply the barge from which the fireworks will be launched. “New Bedford families will have a great time celebrating Independence Day and will enjoy Summerfest and all of the Cape Verdean Recognition Week events.”

The public will have a clear view of the fireworks presentation from almost every point around New Bedford Harbor. The rain date is set for Monday, July 11, 2011 at 9:15PM. The fireworks display will coincide with citywide Independence Day celebrations, Cape Verdean Recognition Week events, and Greater New Bedford Summerfest.

As part of the Cape Verdean Recognition Week events, the 39^th Annual Cape Verdean Recognition Parade will take place on Saturday, July 2^nd, stepping off at 11am from Buttonwood Park (corner of Rockdale Avenue and Union Street). The parade will proceed East on Union Street, South on Acushnet Avenue, West on Grinnell Street, North onto Pleasant Street. For more information visit www.cvrc.org.

Summerfest has gained an outstanding reputation as an international folk music and arts festival in New Bedford’s Downtown Historic District. The event begins will be held on Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3 from 11:00AM through 9:00PM. Visit www.newbedfordsummerfest.com for more details.

Share

Only two years after it opened full-time to the public, New Bedford’s Ocean Explorium is expanding—and its newest marine animal residents are about to make a resounding splash.

Some 20 stingrays and sharks arrived from Florida on June 21st—not by sea, but by air.  The animals have made their new home in a large, custom-built touch tank (Read NBG’s article, by Mike McCarthy, on the Explorium and its new touch tank). “We expect this will be our most exciting and popular live exhibit yet,” says shark expert and Ocean Explorium director Mark Smith. “Visitors to the Explorium will be able to see these extraordinary animals up close, and they’ll be able to touch them, to reach out and stroke them. This will be a rare and wonderful hands-on experience for children and adults alike.”

Rays and Sharks Travel First-Class

The rays and sharks came to New Bedford packed in specially constructed boxes equipped with sufficient salt water and oxygen for their long plane journey from Florida. The animals were supplied by Dynasty Marine, a specialist collector known the world over for their quality, knowledge and sustainable practices.

Before they reached the Explorium, Mr. Smith had this to say: “These animals are extremely delicate and transporting them requires carefully controlled water quality. Temperature, oxygen and pH levels must be maintained throughout their journey to the Ocean Explorium. Our role as caretakers of these beautiful animals is to ensure they are as healthy as possible, so they will be traveling first class all the way!”

Several different species of rays and sharks will be the stars of the new touch tank at the Explorium, including Cownose Rays, Atlantic Stingrays and White Spotted Bamboo Sharks. Explorium curator Warren Gibbons says they are gentle species, which will not pose a risk to visitors.

Gentle by Nature

“Despite their reputation, most rays and sharks are actually quite small and docile, and we have chosen species which are gentle by nature and comfortable with being touched,” says Mr. Gibbons.

“Cownose rays, for example, are very social and engaging animals in a touch tank like this.  They’re related to eagle and manta rays and have the same familiar winged shape as the large rays. It’s mesmerizing to watch them glide through the water. All the rays have had their barbs painlessly clipped so they can be touched safely by our visitors.”

Sharks and rays’ life support system on display

Mr. Gibbons has been working for months with a team of Ocean Explorium staff and other volunteers to install the ray and shark tank, which is 18 feet long and holds 3,000 gallons of water. He’s also been building the tank’s complex water filtration system—a life support system for the rays and sharks—which will be an integral part of the new exhibit.

“Our mission at the Ocean Explorium is education, and we believe it’s important for people to understand that these animals live in a delicately balanced ecosystem, which we need to respect and preserve,” he says. ” It’s an enormous challenge for us to try to replicate that environment here in the Explorium so the animals remain healthy. We’re very excited about showing people how we can do that.”

The new touch tank and life support systems are already up and running and the animals moved into the new tank immediately after arriving at the Ocean Explorium. An official opening for the tank is scheduled for July 1.

The Ocean Explorium is located at 174 Union Street in downtown New Bedford (corner of Union and Purchase Streets) and offers disabled access through the rear entrance. Call 508.994.5400 or visit the website for more information.

With some major help from South Coast residents and businesses, a music video will get produced this summer in the streets of New Bedford.  You have the opportunity to support a fantastic local cause by helping The J.Kelley Band produce a music video for their upcoming single, “Shake You.”

Head over to the Kickstarter campaign to learn more and support the cause.  Supporters will be rewarded with early copies of Reservoir (the band’s 2nd CD, scheduled to release this August), a special thanks on the Reservoir CD, a small part in the video, and other rewards based on the level of support provided.  Supporters can donate as little as $1 or as much as they want! Talented Whaling City film director/writer Jay Burke is on tap to direct the music video, and I’ll be writing/producing the video.

Music Video Synopsis
The music video starts with the J.Kelley Band finishing a final set at a local bar in the heart of New Bedford, Massachusetts. After the last song of the night, one of Jay’s friends introduces him to a beautiful friend.  All goes well until the next morning.  She leaves his bed and Jay immediately notices her “J.Kelley Band” tattoo and her crazed demeanor.  After she starts talking about marriage and kids, Jay tries to “shake” the crazed fan.

Jay goes from gig to gig throughout New Bedford, yet the girl always appears in the crowd. Finally, after boarding the SeaStreak Ferry, Jay loses the girl at the docks of New Bedford harbor and finishes up “Shake You” on the roof deck of the ship. After the song, a good friend walks up to Jay and introduces his hot mom. Jay finishes the video looking into the camera with a smile knowing another crazy night may be in store.

Are you Crazy Enough?
There will be lots of room in the video for supporting roles, and we will be searching for the “crazed, beautiful fan” that chases Jason Kelley through the city of New Bedford. The role will pay well, as whoever it is will be the co-star of the music video.  If this role was made for you, submit your resume with some current pictures to jkelleyband@gmail.com.  There will be interviews and casting calls in July and August, with filming scheduled to begin in mid- late August.

How to Help
The best way to help with this project is to donate what you can and spread the word using this article or the Kickstarter link to friends and family through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and word-of-mouth. This project can only happen with the support of friends, family, fans and others who are willing to step-up. Remember, every donation counts; even as little as $1 will help us get the video made!  Contact: jkelleyband@gmail.com or stop by one of the band’s shows for information on other ways to donate.